Seventeen's The8, Vernon to launch new unit V8 with debut EPThe8 and Vernon, both members of K-pop boy group Seventeen, will debut a new subunit, V8, later this month, the group's agency, Pledis Entertainment, said Tuesday. The duo will release its first EP, "V8," on June 29 as the group's sixth official unit following BSS, Jeonghan x Wonwoo, Hoshi x Woozi, S.Coups x Mingyu and DK x Seungkwan. The album explores themes of recovery and growth discovered through wandering and confusion from the past, the agency said. It will feature eight tracks, including lead single "singasong," an electronic song rooted in hyperpop, and co-composed by German DJ and producer Mechatok alongside the two members. Other tracks include "Friend," "Beat," "Mia," "Coloring," "girlsnboys," "8DM" and the digital-only "rat race." "Girlsnboys" was written, composed and produced by Pharrell Williams, a 14-time Grammy Award winner, with longtime Seventeen collaborator and producer Bumzu also contributing to the track. V8 will hold its first standalone concerts on July 11-12 at the KINTEX convention center in Goyang, west of Seoul, in what will be the first Seventeen unit show tJun 16, 2026By Yonhap
Jang Wonyoung airport footage: IVE star's behavior fuels debate over politeness in KoreaA short video of IVE member Jang Wonyoung has sparked debate online over her conduct at Gimpo International Airport, with critics questioning her interaction with airport staff and supporters saying footage from another angle showed more context. Videos of Jang at the airport circulated widely online after she left Korea on May 30 with other IVE members for a scheduled event in Shanghai, China. The debate began after footage appeared to show Jang standing in front of an airport employee with her arms crossed and receiving her passport with one hand, a gesture considered impolite in Korea. Some online users also criticized her because the footage seemed to show her wearing a hat and not lowering her mask all the way during an ID check, a mandatory part of departure procedures. Some critics said the airport employee had asked Jang to remove her mask and hat for identity verification, but that she did not appear to fully comply. Comments on YouTube and other platforms included "Why is she acting like that when they are checking her identity?" and "How would she feel if she were that employJun 16, 2026By Hankookilbo
Red Velvet sets August return, ending 2-year wait for full group comebackAfter more than two years away from group promotions, Red Velvet is preparing to return to the spotlight with a new album and a fan concert timed to the anniversary of its debut. SM Entertainment said the five-member group will make its comeback in August, marking its first full group release since “Cosmic,” which was released in June 2024. The announcement immediately fueled anticipation among fans, who have been waiting for the return of all five members together. The company also unveiled details Sunday for “2026 Red Velvet FAN-CON 'A Day in Red & Velvet,'” a two-day event that will bring the group together with fans as it celebrates its 12th debut anniversary. The fan concert will take place at Korea University’s Hwajeong Gymnasium on Aug. 1 and Aug. 2. According to SM Entertainment, the performances will feature a selection of songs spanning Red Velvet’s career, along with interactive segments designed to engage fans. The opening night carries particular significance as it marks the anniversary of the group’s debut. The event is expected to serve as both a celebration ofJun 16, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Korea launches $2.2 mil. fund to boost indie K-pop labelsThe Korean government is stepping in to fortify the "backbone" of the K-pop industry, launching a new initiative aimed at helping midsized and small music agencies expand globally. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, alongside the Korea Creative Content Agency, said Tuesday they selected 10 indie K-pop groups for the inaugural "Global Leap Forward Support" project. Under the initiative, each selected agency will receive up to 300 million won ($218,000) annually for up to three years to finance international promotions, music videos and overseas tours. The intervention comes amid growing concerns over market polarization. While global K-pop exports surged 32.4 percent year-on-year in 2025, the market remains heavily dominated by a handful of conglomerate-backed "Big Four" entertainment giants. According to government data, major conglomerates spent an average of 43.1 billion won on music production in 2023, compared to a meager 1.49 billion won on average for smaller agencies. Furthermore, major label acts performed abroad 20 times more frequently than their indie counterparts. TJun 16, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Seventeen's Joshua to speak at UNESCO headquarters in Paris next weekJoshua of K-pop boy group Seventeen will deliver a speech at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris next week as a youth goodwill ambassador of the organization, his agency said Tuesday. The appearance on June 25 will be part of the "Going Together — For Youth Creativity & Well-Being" program, a global youth initiative launched jointly by Seventeen and UNESCO, according to Pledis Entertainment. The Korean American will speak on behalf of the group to deliver a message of support to young people worldwide. The event will be attended by UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany and livestreamed on the organization's official YouTube channel. Seventeen was appointed a youth goodwill ambassador for UNESCO in 2024 and donated $1 million to establish a global youth fund. The fund supports projects aimed at strengthening youth confidence and resilience through music, arts and sports, fostering creative youth communities and promoting mental health. Last year, the group also donated proceeds from a charity auction to mark the International Youth Day.Jun 16, 2026By Yonhap
TXT's Yeonjun to release 2nd solo album in JulyYeonjun of boy band Tomorrow X Together (TXT) will release his second individual album next month, his agency BigHit Music said Tuesday. The EP, titled "No Labels: Part 02," is set to drop July 10 at 1 p.m., marking the first release from Yeonjun in about eight months after his first solo record, "No Labels: Part 01." The upcoming album is expected to further highlight Yeonjun's musical identity and personal storytelling. In his previous release, Yeonjun took part in songwriting, composition and creating the choreography, proving his potential as a rising solo artist beyond his activities with TXT. TXT, meanwhile, is currently holding a special concert series, titled "2026 TXT Moa Con in Japan," to mark the group's seventh debut anniversary. The tour, spanning eight shows across four Japanese cities, has sold out in advance. Following performances in Fukuoka on Tuesday and Wednesday, the group will wrap up the tour in Hyogo on June 23 and 24.Jun 16, 2026By Yonhap
Seoul 'melting pot' for global music talent, says producer behind BTS hitsA Swedish music producer who has worked with the biggest names in K-pop — BTS, SuperM, Tomorrow X Together, ENHYPEN, LE SSERAFIM and ATEEZ — said Seoul has become a "global melting pot" for music talent, surpassing creative hubs like Stockholm and Los Angeles, as top songwriters worldwide increasingly look to Korea for the best opportunities. "I saw an opportunity that seemed more impactful by coming to Seoul rather than going to the States, and not by a small margin," Alex Karlsson said at a music industry conference hosted by the French Embassy in Seoul, June 8. Karlsson was speaking at "From K-pop to Global Pop: Rethinking Music Without Borders," the opening panel of "Fête de la Musique+ 2026," a Korea-France cultural exchange event held in Seoul. For Karlsson, Korea's appeal as a creative base comes down to access and structure. He said the country draws top-tier global talent at a scale unmatched by European music hubs, while its systemized approach to music production offers a creative framework he finds valuable rather than limiting. "Koreans love their systems, and I think tJun 16, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
BIGBANG to launch 20th anniversary world tour in GoyangBIGBANG will launch its 20th anniversary world tour with a concert in Goyang, just northwest of Seoul. Presales for the "BIGBANG 2026 WORLD TOUR IN GOYANG" begin at 7 p.m. on June 24, with a general sale to follow at 7 p.m. on June 25, YG Entertainment said Monday. Domestic tickets will be available through the Coupang Play mobile app, while international tickets will be sold via NOL WORLD. The group will perform three concerts at Goyang Stadium from Aug. 21-23. The shows are expected to draw significant interest, marking the K-pop group's first world tour in nearly a decade. The Goyang performances kick off a tour featuring 31 shows across 18 cities. The concerts promise stadium-scale production, highlighting the act's extensive 20-year discography. The stadium tour announcement follows BIGBANG's recent performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California, in April. "We are sparing no effort on the tour's scale and production quality to meet the expectations of fans who have waited so long," YG Entertainment said. The tour spans North America, Europe, Oceania anJun 15, 2026By Hankookilbo
RIIZE doubles down on performance for highly anticipated returnK-pop group RIIZE returned Monday with its second mini album, "II," presenting a sharper, more self-assured sound that the members say reflects months of rehearsal and rising confidence on stage. In a distributed interview ahead of the release, the SM Entertainment group described the title track, "Do Your Dance," as a statement meant to be felt rather than interpreted. Below is an edited Q&A with the six-member group. Q. How does it feel to make a comeback? Wonbin: The album is filled with strong songs, and we feel confident returning to the stage. We want to show our music through performance rather than words. Sohee: It has been seven months since our last comeback, and we’re really thankful to fans for waiting. We’re confident in this album and hope many people enjoy it. Q. How would you describe “II”? Sohee: It’s a fun album from start to finish. I hope that feeling of enjoyment reaches fans as well. Anton: It represents a shift into a more active phase for RIIZE, moving from thinking to doing. Eunseok: It feels like a box of many colors, with each track showing a different styJun 15, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
As virtual idol groups multiply, can any match PLAVE's success?The virtual idol market is expanding fast, and the field is getting crowded. A string of new groups have debuted in recent months, staking a claim in a space that one act has come to define — and none of them are close to catching it yet. OWIS, a five-member girl group under All My Anecdotes, the label founded by Kiss of Life creative director Lee Hae-in, debuted on March 23 with EP "Museum." While the real identities behind the virtual avatar members — Serene, Haru, Soi, Summer and Yuni — have not been officially confirmed, it is widely reported to include former NMIXX member Jini, former Lovelyz member Ryu Su-jeong, BigHit Music producer Adora, "Produce 101" contestant Lee Ruri and Lee Hae-in herself. B:DAWN under Duri Entertainment followed on May 6 with debut single "Beom." The group's five members — Dojin, Ion, Kangho, Woorim and Hansol — are built around the concept of former competitive athletes. The latest entry is MiiWAN, a five-member boy group under Abyss Company, whose debut album "Middle.i" drops Tuesday. A pre-release track, "Pluma," is already out. Emulating PLAVEJun 15, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
